IAF choppers pressed into service to douse wildfire in Mizoram

Officials said though the fire in some areas has been doused and the situation is under control, for the time being, it could erupt again due to dry and windy conditions

Updated on: Apr 27, 2021, 09:11:23 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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Two Mi-17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) were pressed into service on Monday to douse the wildfire in Lunglei district of Mizoram since Saturday.

One of the two Mi17 choppers of IAF used to douse forest fire in Lunglei district of Mizoram on Saturday. (Photo: IAF)

Officials said though the fire in some areas has been doused and the situation is under control, for the time being, it could erupt again due to dry and windy conditions.

“IAF choppers carried out two sorties and poured water over areas most affected by the forest fire. The situation is under control...,” said M Misael, chief executive officer, Lunglei Disaster Management Authority.

Also Read | 48 hours on, forest fires rage across Mizoram

“There are still reports of small fires in some non-settlement areas of some villages. The situation is unpredictable, and the flames could flare up again due to winds and dry weather.”

Misael said apart from the loss of some standing crops, there has not been any major damage to human settlements.

The fire started on Saturday on the outskirts of Lunglei town, the headquarters of Lunglei district, 170 km from the state capital Aizawl, and spread to non-settled areas in 10 village councils.

Forest fires were also reported from Lawngtlai and Serchip districts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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